Jacob Bernays was a German philologist and philosophical writer
Background
Jacob Bernays was born in Hamburg to Jewish parents. His father, Isaac Bernays (1792-1849) was a man of wide culture and the first orthodox German rabbi to preach in the vernacular. His brother, Michael Bernays, was also a distinguished scholar.
Education
Between 1844-1848, Bernays studied at the University of Bonn, whose philological school, under Friedrich Gottlieb Welcker and Friedrich Wilhelm Ritschl (of whom Bernays became the favourite pupil), was the best in Germany.
Career
In 1853, he accepted the chair of classical philology at the newly founded Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau, where he formed a close friendship with Theodor Mommsen. In 1866, when Ritschl left Bonn for Leipzig, Bernays returned to his old university as extraordinary professor and chief librarian. He remained in Bonn until his death on 26 May 1881.
Upon his death, he bequeathed his Hebrew library to the Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau.
Membership
Prussian Academy of Sciences. Göttingen Academy of Sciences.